Cristian Stellini admits it was a ‘good’ decision to attack both Tottenham and Brighton after a heated sideline collision with Roberto De Zerbi that didn’t make a ‘good impression’ – before claiming ‘we weren’t the people who started this situation! ‘
- Brighton and Spurs were charged for their role in last week’s touchline fight
- Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi collided on the pitch during their playing days
- Bayern Munich are ‘ready to test Tottenham’s determination’ on star player Harry Kane
Cristian Stellini admitted the decision to charge both Tottenham and Brighton for their roles in last week’s heated side fight was a ‘good’ decision.
The Italian – who was in charge of Spurs until the end of the season following the departure of Antonio Conte – admitted that his side and their opponents were not making a very good impression.
Tempers flared in the Premier League clash, which pitted Stellini and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi against each other, before both coaching staff teams got involved in an on-pitch brawl.
Referee Stuart Attwell showed red cards to both Italian managers, although the Spurs boss protested his innocence for staying away from the main battle, but the referee remained firm in his decision.
After the match, the FA slapped both clubs with charges for failing to control their players and both sides were fined, but neither manager received a touchline ban.
Cristian Stellini admitted that it was the right decision to attack both sides, but insisted that his side was not the aggressors.
Both Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi received red cards in the thrilling 2-1 win for Tottenham Hotspur
The 48-year-old admitted that the fight did not make a good ‘impression’ from either side
While the 48-year-old admitted it was a good decision to attack both sides, he also expressed his relief to be back on the sideline as he felt he was “not involved in anything”.
“What we created at the time was not a good impression,” the Tottenham boss said when asked about his views on the allegations.
“Maybe for the atmosphere we’ve created, it’s a good (FA) decision. We have to be better, but personally I am happy that we showed that we are a team, we are connected, we are close and we defend ourselves and our club.
“At the same time, I’m happy because I feel like I wasn’t involved in anything, so it’s a good decision that I stay on the sidelines tomorrow.”
The match started off on an icy foot, with a conversation between the two drawing attention in which De Zerbi pointed his finger at Stellini, while the latter grew increasingly indignant at what his counterpart had to say.
The pair clashed during their playing days in Serie B, with Stellini at Bari and De Zerbi at Avellino.
And the Spurs boss was quick to add there was “nothing to say” to his counterpart when asked if he had spoken to his rival.
“No,” he said. “These things stay on the field, you forget these kinds of situations immediately after the game. There’s nothing to say. Everything is good for me.’
Given that he stayed out of many of the fights at the time, Stellini would likely avoid a dugout suspension.
The Zerbi, on the other hand, has been suspended on two occasions and there was an understandable risk of him getting a third, although it appears he has escaped that fate.
Before the match, the pair had a friction-packed exchange as they met before kick-off
Both sides were charged after numerous members of the coaching staff from both sides became involved
Stellini and De Zerbi (center) previously faced each other as Serie B players in the 2000s
Some of De Zerbi’s Brighton players stepped in to intervene, but were unable to prevent his sacking
His side face a crucial FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United, for which they have been keen to keep the Italian in contention.
And when asked if the club would appeal the allegations, Stellini was quick to reiterate that he and his side were not the aggressors in the incident.
“I think we need to clarify something like the club, but this is not a decision for me,” he added. “It’s a decision for the club, but it’s important to make our position clear with the FA and everyone. We were not the people who create.
“Maybe we’ll react and maybe we’ll apologize, that’s good, but we weren’t the people who caused this situation.”